adjective / noun
poor
POOR/pʊr/
Having little money or few possessions.
Many poor families struggle to afford rent and groceries.
Etymology
Latin pauper meant ‘not wealthy,’ with an underlying image of ‘producing or getting little.’ That image connects limited production or receipts with having few material resources.
In context
there's this conflict over resources uh particularly the type of housing that's going to be in the gentrifying community is at first glance a conflict between poor and middle class African-Americans
More examples
- Even with two jobs, he remains poor.
- The charity provides free legal help to the poor.
- The poorest households qualify for additional financial assistance.
Forms
poor · poorer · poorest
poverty noun — The state of having little money.
Similar words
- needy
- Emphasizes needing assistance to afford basic necessities.
- impoverished
- Often suggests being made poor through loss or hardship.
- destitute
- Means lacking nearly all resources needed for basic survival.